NHL Early Season Leaders: Ranking 2024’s Best Teams So Far

As the NHL season ramps up, some teams and players are emerging as NHL Early Season Leaders. With explosive starts, surprising leaders, and outstanding performances on both ends of the ice, fans are getting a taste of what might be in store. Here’s a breakdown of the NHL Early Season Leaders in offense, defense, and special teams, along with a closer look at players who are setting the pace this season. For more information and official scores check out NHL.com

Teams Off to a Strong Start in the East

The Atlantic and Metropolitan Divisions have several teams showing potential early on. Here’s a look at who’s leading the pack:

Top Contenders in the Atlantic

• Florida Panthers (5-2-1): Florida has balanced a strong offensive push with solid defense, earning their spot as NHL Early Season Leaders. Their goal differential is among the highest in the league, a promising stat as they aim for the playoffs.
• Boston Bruins (6-1-0): Despite roster changes, Boston has maintained momentum with impressive defensive play and a record that puts them at the top of the standings.
• Toronto Maple Leafs (5-2-0): Known for high-scoring games, the Leafs are capitalizing on their offensive depth with a power play success rate over 25%.

Metropolitan Division Powerhouses

• New Jersey Devils (6-2-1): The Devils are scoring over 3.5 goals per game and boast a win rate of nearly 70%. Jack Hughes is among the top 10 point leaders, which makes New Jersey a serious threat.
• Carolina Hurricanes (5-3-0): The Hurricanes have shown balanced scoring from all lines and hold one of the best penalty kills in the league, making them resilient in tight games.

Western Conference: Dominant Teams and Rising Stars

In the Western Conference, several teams have staked an early claim to the top, proving their strength in offense, defense, and special teams.

Central Division Leaders

1. Dallas Stars (6-1-1): Scoring over 4 goals per game on average, the Stars are riding high on offensive powerhouses like Roope Hintz and Jason Robertson.
2. Winnipeg Jets (5-2-2): Known for clutch play, the Jets have a save percentage over .920 with Connor Hellebuyck in goal, making them one of the hardest teams to score against.

Pacific Division Standouts

• Vegas Golden Knights (7-1-0): The reigning Stanley Cup champions are proving why they’re among the NHL Early Season Leaders. They have an impressive streak, maintaining one of the league’s highest winning percentages.
• Los Angeles Kings (6-3-0): Not far behind Vegas, the Kings are solidifying their spot in the division with one of the highest goal totals in the league, particularly on the road.

NHL Early Season Leaders by Individual Player Stats

It’s not just teams showing dominance; individual players are standing out and creating excitement with their early season stats.

Top Scorers and Playmakers

• Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers, 4-3-1): With 15+ points in just the first handful of games, McDavid’s scoring pace continues to put him at the forefront of NHL Early Season Leaders.
• Jack Hughes (New Jersey Devils, 6-2-1): Hughes’ early assist numbers place him among the league’s top playmakers, contributing to New Jersey’s offensive success.
• Alex Ovechkin (Washington Capitals, 3-4-1): Ovechkin is still proving to be a force, adding to his career goals tally. Even with team struggles, he continues to break records.

Goalie Standouts

• Ilya Sorokin (New York Islanders, 5-3-0): With a save percentage above .930, Sorokin has already notched two shutouts, making him one of the early-season leaders among goaltenders.
• Connor Hellebuyck (Winnipeg Jets, 5-2-2): Hellebuyck’s performance has kept Winnipeg competitive, with a GAA (Goals Against Average) under 2.5 and one of the highest save percentages in the league.

Rising Stars to Watch

• Matty Beniers (Seattle Kraken, 4-4-1): Beniers’ point-per-game pace has him as an early-season standout, with high-energy plays that have quickly made him a fan favorite.
• Logan Cooley (Arizona Coyotes, 3-5-1): The rookie has shown early flashes of brilliance, especially on the power play, and is already among the Coyotes’ top scorers.

Special Teams: Power Play and Penalty Kill Leaders

Special teams can make or break a season, and the NHL Early Season Leaders in power play and penalty kill efficiency are already showing how important these units can be.

Power Play Success

1. Dallas Stars (6-1-1): Converting over 30% of their power play opportunities, the Stars’ special teams are turning the tide in close games.
2. Toronto Maple Leafs (5-2-0): With a power play conversion rate above 25%, Toronto’s special teams continue to deliver when it matters most.

Penalty Kill Leaders

• Boston Bruins (6-1-0): Boston is successfully killing penalties at a rate of over 85%, limiting opponents’ chances and strengthening their defense.
• Carolina Hurricanes (5-3-0): With one of the highest penalty kill percentages, the Hurricanes have made their defensive prowess a core part of their early-season success.

Teams Struggling to Find Their Footing

While some teams shine as NHL Early Season Leaders, others are struggling. Here’s a quick look at some early disappointments.

1. San Jose Sharks (1-6-1): With the lowest goal total so far, San Jose has struggled on both ends of the ice, facing challenges that may point to a rebuilding season.
2. Chicago Blackhawks (2-5-1): Despite promising young talent, the Blackhawks have faltered in close games, with a negative goal differential that’s keeping them from climbing the standings.
3. Philadelphia Flyers (3-4-1): The Flyers’ inconsistent offense has been a significant hurdle, leading to a slow start that they’ll need to overcome.

Key Takeaways: Stats and Trends Defining NHL Early Season Leaders

As we assess the NHL Early Season Leaders, several patterns stand out that could shape the rest of the season. Here are some critical takeaways:

1. Goal Differential Matters: Teams with high goal differentials like the Vegas Golden Knights (7-1-0) and Dallas Stars (6-1-1) are showing that scoring and defense both play a crucial role.
2. Balanced Scoring Depth: Teams that can rely on all four lines for contributions, like the New Jersey Devils (6-2-1), are among the most resilient in the league.
3. Strong Goaltending: Goaltenders like Connor Hellebuyck (Winnipeg Jets, 5-2-2) and Ilya Sorokin (New York Islanders, 5-3-0) are proving that consistent play between the pipes is essential for staying competitive.

With these early leaders setting the pace, it’s clear that depth, consistency, and resilience are the keys to success in the NHL. Teams that can keep up with these trends will likely be the ones still standing come playoff time.

As we look forward, the NHL Early Season Leaders are setting up for an unforgettable season filled with high stakes and exciting hockey. Fans have a lot to look forward to, as the race to the playoffs promises twists and turns that will keep everyone on the edge of their seats.

Key Storylines to Watch This Season

While the NHL Early Season Leaders are setting the stage, there are other fascinating storylines worth keeping an eye on. From rookies making a name for themselves to unexpected team performances and critical injuries, the season’s first few weeks have already delivered plenty of intrigue.

Rookies Making a Big Impact NHL Early Season Leaders

Each season, there’s a crop of rookies that seem poised to make an impact, and this year is no exception. Several young players are showing why they belong in the NHL and have quickly become essential to their teams’ success.

• Connor Bedard (Chicago Blackhawks, 2-5-1): Bedard entered the league with massive expectations, and so far, he’s showing flashes of the potential that made him the top draft pick. While the Blackhawks have had a slow start, Bedard’s ability to create scoring chances has energized fans and given the franchise hope for a rebuild around him.
• Leo Carlsson (Anaheim Ducks, 3-5-0): Carlsson has impressed with his offensive awareness and has earned a solid spot in the Ducks’ lineup. His playmaking skills are already giving Anaheim’s top lines a boost, making him a rookie to watch.

League-Wide Trends: Speed, Offense, and Goalie Workloads

This season has also highlighted some broader trends across the NHL, particularly with teams emphasizing speed and offense. Teams like the Florida Panthers (5-2-1) and Dallas Stars (6-1-1) are focusing on quick transitions and aggressive playstyles, leading to higher scores and more thrilling games.

Goalies, however, are seeing increased workloads as a result. In an era when many coaches strive to limit their star goalie’s ice time, early-season games have seen several netminders facing a high volume of shots per night. If these trends continue, we may see fatigue become a factor, especially for playoff-bound teams that depend heavily on their starting goalie.

Key Injuries Already Impacting Teams

Early-season injuries have impacted several teams, shaking up lineups and creating opportunities for other players to step up. For example:

• Andrei Vasilevskiy (Tampa Bay Lightning, 4-3-1): Vasilevskiy’s absence has tested Tampa Bay’s depth, and while they’ve managed to stay competitive, the Lightning will be eager to have their star goalie back. In the meantime, the team is experimenting with different lineups to maintain their strong record.
• Patrik Laine (Columbus Blue Jackets, 3-4-1): Laine’s absence has hindered the Blue Jackets’ scoring ability, but it’s also given their younger players a chance to step up. With Laine’s timeline uncertain, Columbus will have to rely on secondary scoring to stay in the mix.

As the season continues to develop, these additional storylines will only add to the drama and excitement of the NHL. Between the rookies making an impact, high-paced league trends, and critical injuries, there’s a lot more to watch beyond the NHL Early Season Leaders. Fans can expect plenty of shifts in momentum and surprises along the way, making this season one to follow closely. Whether your team is a frontrunner or in the middle of a rebuild, the competition is fierce, and the journey to the playoffs has just begun.

About The Author